Federal Program Specialist

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5/6/2026 (8:00 PM EDT)

26-02085

Federal Program Specialist

Pay Grade 16

Salary

$4,356.96 - $5,686.20 Monthly

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

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Hiring Agency

Education & Labor Cabinet | Department of Education

Location

300 Sower Boulevard

Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

The agency may authorize the selected applicant to telecommute on a hybrid schedule. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time. Telework will not be permitted outside the state of Kentucky.

Description

The Kentucky Department of Education is a service agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and part of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The department provides resources and guidance to Kentucky’s public schools and districts as they implement the state’s P-12 education requirements. The department also serves as the state liaison for federal education requirements and funding opportunities.

The department is led by an appointed commissioner of education, who is hired by and answers to the 11-member Kentucky Board of Education. Offices are administered by associate commissioners, and divisions within those offices are administered by division directors.

The department employs approximately 425 Frankfort-based workers; 175 employees in support of the Kentucky School for the Blind (Jefferson County) and Kentucky School for the Deaf (Boyle County); and about 518 employees at the 50 Area Technology Centers across the state.

OUR MISSION

To partner with districts, schools, families, students, business, industry, and communities to provide leadership and support to ensure success for each and every student.

OUR CORE VALUES

• Equity
• Achievement
• Collaboration
• Integrity
  
  

The department seeks to hire a smart, experienced, hardworking and dependable Federal Program Specialist to join our dedicated team. This role represents a fantastic opportunity to work in a dynamic, challenging and professional environment. We invite you to apply for the opportunity to allow you to expand your learning potential, while receiving a steady income and benefits. We look forward to reviewing your application! Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide coordination and direction in the administration of federal grants, perform financial analysis, and make inter-agency recommendations regarding operational policy and/or budgetary procedures for reporting and compliance for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Division of Budgets and Financial Management in the area of revenues and expenditures.
• Provide fiscal oversight of assigned program grant budgets, including calculations, dissemination of funds, and the timely and appropriate use of funding. Create funding award notifications to inform Local Education Agencies (LEA) and other educational partners of their annual funding allocations.
• Provide policy and technical assistance to the agency and local school district staff on fiscal and budgetary matters on assigned grant programs. Review and analyze both revenue and expenditure data as it relates to the agency budget. Continuously monitor and analyze spending to ensure compliance. Ensure funds are obligated within the grant’s period of availability. Work with programmatic staff and partners to suggest possible options when funds are not obligated timely.
• Serve as primary administrator for Grant Management Application and Planning system to include: Administer KDE users, assist LEA User Access Administrator adding and updating LEA users, Manage district, school organization updates; Administer Home Page messages and related bulk emails; Administer State Education Agency (SEA) Document Library folder structure and Administer LEA Document Library folder structure and document requirements. Update grant funding source allocations, upload district allocations, and reviews grant applications for allowable expenditure codes.
• Provide technical assistance and training for all agency staff and local school district staff on the Grant Management Application and Planning system.
• Interpret state and federal laws, regulations and policies related to KDE budget and program budgets to state agency and school district personnel. Draft and recommend policies, procedures on fiscal and budgetary matters relevant to assigned programs.
• Perform other duties as required.
  
  

Benefits And Perks

• Comprehensive health insurance (effective first day of employment)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Optional Insurance (Dental/Vision)
• Life Insurance
• Retirement savings.
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, compensatory, jury, voting, election, blood donation, living organ, educational, military)
• Paid holidays (12.5 days per year, 13.5 days in a Presidential Election year)
• Deferred Compensation/Free Financial Planning Program
• Professional development opportunities and ongoing training.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Recognition
  
  

Applicants and employees in this classification may be required to submit to a drug screening test and background check.

Applicants currently under contract with a local school district are required to provide a written release from their superintendent prior to an offer of employment is given.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Four years of professional experience in budget administration, grant administration, financial analysis and/or forecasting, statistical analysis, financial auditing, or a related field. Two years of the required experience must include the preparation, research and planning, budgeting, or administration of state or federal grants-in-aids.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: A master's degree will substitute for one year of required experience.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Additional grant-in-aid related experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Work typically involves extensive contact with the public. Travel may be required.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Kanaka Aspari at Kanaka.Aspari@education.ky.gov or 502-564-3716.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D